Australian premium luxury motor yacht builder Riviera has defined the 2024 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show as ‘exceptional’.
Twelve motor yachts from Riviera’s wide range were selected for the company’s display, which was visited by more than 600 Riviera owners and 3000 visitors. The four-day event is the only boat show Riviera is taking part in in 2024.
“This year has been a truly memorable show for the Riviera family,’’ owner Rodney Longhurst said. “The knowledge gained by owners attending the Riviera Festival of Boating, our exclusive boating education program, is helping to achieve their ultimate boating experience.
“The world premiere of our 6800 Sport Yacht Platinum Edition has received great accolades from her new owners and all who have stepped aboard. Our record showcase of luxury motor yachts from 46 to 78 feet has inspired many new owners to join the Riviera family.
“From our three gala dinners celebrating the launch of our 6000th motor yacht, to the fun-filled Women of Riviera luncheon, this has been a true celebration of Riviera.’’
Festival of Boating – Provided training for over 200 Riviera owners
Riviera’s exclusive Festival of Boating proved so popular that many were booked out well in advance. The three-day program offered owners a wide range of educational seminars and training workshops. They included introductory/refresher workshops and advanced skills development courses. Topics covered included ladies’ skippers, weather, navigation, offshore seamanship, radar, safe anchoring and mooring, preventative maintenance, safety, thermal imaging, and power management.
Sydneysider John Robinson, who is soon to take delivery of a Riviera 585 SUV, attended back-to-back education classes during the Festival of Boating. “I did wall-to-wall education sessions on Friday and Saturday,’’ he said. “The standard of presenters was high and hence the knowledge they were imparting was valuable. This sentiment was supported by everyone staying beyond the allocated time slots to ensure that they extracted as much information as possible from the sessions.’’
6800 Sport Yacht Platinum Edition – World Premiere
Riviera celebrated the launch of the 6800 Sport Yacht Platinum Edition aboard a fine dining, floating venue anchored on the Gold Coast’s Broadwater. It was the first opportunity for owners and their families who had purchased the company’s new flagship Sport Yacht to step aboard and inspect this outstanding yacht. The exclusive world premiere preview was held on the eve of the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show.
Owners applauded and cheered as the magnificent 6800 cruised into view, with a well-known Queensland entertainer on the bow of the yacht delivering an anthem that welcomed a new era yacht of breathtaking beauty, immense luxury and meticulous detail.
“It’s a 10 out of 10… and I’m a tough marker,’’ Queensland owner Simon George said on the night. “I think Riviera has done a great job. You can appreciate the extra thought that’s gone into the design. There’s nothing that I would want to change.’’
Speaking at the event, Mr Longhurst said: “To be successful on the highly competitive global stage of luxury boat building, you must have an absolute commitment to design, innovation, quality and owner care. And that’s what our amazing team in Australia and the United States do every day, creating a truly world-class luxury motor yacht experience.
“This new 6800 Sport Yacht is our ultimate Sport Yacht. With a choice of three or four staterooms and three bathrooms, a crew cabin or utility room, a full-height walk-through engine room, huge entertaining and living spaces, an all-weather aft deck, expansive sun-loving forward deck, and an impressive tender garage devoted to water sports, it is one magnificent motor yacht.”
The launch of 6000th Motor Yacht – Riviera owners celebrate
Riviera hosted a series of exclusive owner dinners on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings to celebrate the launch of Riviera’s 6000th motor yacht. Starring on the display was this very yacht, ‘Pelara’ the Iridium silver-hulled 5400 Sport Yacht Platinum Edition.
Riviera owners from Australia, New Zealand and America enjoyed world class cuisine and fun-filled entertainment over the three nights.
“The dinners were a sign of the loyalty Riviera shows its owners,’’ Denyse Coughlin, from Sydney, who has her third Riviera on order, said. “The food was amazing. The entertainment was first rate. We were seated with guests from around the world and it was fascinating to hear everyone’s Riviera story. Congratulations to Riviera’s owner Rodney Longhurst. He has built a lovely company culture that is so obvious to see at events like this.’’
Women of Riviera – United by a common passion
More than 90 ladies enjoyed perfect Gold Coast Autumn weather and magnificent Italian cuisine when they attended the exclusive Women of Riviera luncheon which was held at Ioesco Café Cucina Bar in the Sanctuary Cove precinct.
“Everyone at the lunch had one thing in common,’’ Riviera owner Nicole Box, from Western Queensland, said. “We started with a love of boating and from there, everything just grew. It was an eclectic crowd, from all walks of life, but no-one felt out of place. I formed some lovely new friendships, and I will be back next year.’’
Cause for celebration
“The Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show has provided great cause for celebration for our family of yacht owners and our amazing 950-strong team,” Mr Longhurst said. “We are grateful for the incredible support of our owners around the world and we could not be more proud of our team who go above and beyond everyday to create the finest motor yachts launched in our proud history.’’
